NPR catches up with Baytown city councilman during his first days in office

This week NPR paired newly-elected Baytown city councilman Charles Johnson with Ryan Coonerty, who is the Third District Supervisor for Santa Cruz County out in California, to see what tips that the Californian could share with the Texan. It's part of a new series called "Been There" which features people who have put in the time with those that are just starting their journey.

This week NPR paired newly-elected Baytown city councilman Charles Johnson with Ryan Coonerty, who is the Third District Supervisor for Santa Cruz County out in California, to see what tips that the Californian

This week NPR paired newly-elected Baytown city councilman Charles Johnson with Ryan Coonerty, who is the Third District Supervisor for Santa Cruz County out in California, to see what tips that the Californian could share with the Texan. It's part of a new series called "Been There" which features people who have put in the time with those that are just starting their journey.

This week NPR paired newly-elected Baytown city councilman Charles Johnson with Ryan Coonerty, who is the Third District Supervisor for Santa Cruz County out in California, to see what tips that the Californian

NPR catches up with Baytown city councilman during his first days in office

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A Baytown politician, in his very first elected position, recently got to bend the ear of a political vet to see just what he's in for, thanks to NPR.

Charles Johnson was recently elected to Baytown's city council. He's not leaving his job at a nearby chemical plant because council member pay isn't too terribly much. He filled out the paperwork, did the door-to-door campaigning, won the election, and was sworn in back in January at Baytown City Hall.

NPR paired Johnson with Ryan Coonerty, who is the Third District Supervisor for Santa Cruz County, California, for a mentoring session of sorts to see what tips the Californian could share with the Texan. It's part of a new series called "Been There" which features people who have put in the time with those that are just starting their journey.

Johnson is an example of a private citizen and family man that decided to get into public life to make a difference where he lives. That's where a lot of politicians start, as outsiders. Even though he grew up in Baytown and started a family there, he had a lot of learn about city politics.

Coonerty was the mayor and a councilman in Santa Cruz for close to a decade, so he had plenty of similar experiences to share.

"All of a sudden you have ran, campaigned and then you are standing before your community with your hand in the air and you are upholding to some pretty high ideals to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and to really serve your community," Coonerty said in the NPR piece. "It's humbling and inspiring and scary all at the same time."

Coonerty said that interacting with people who had more experience than him was a challenge. Learning all about his colleagues and what motivates their constituency was key.

He also gave Johnson some tips on dealing with the public, like bringing business cards everywhere and getting your frozen foods at the grocery store last.

Two US congressmen used an impromptu road trip to Washington to answer questions on Facebook Live.
Texas Reps. Beto O'Rourke and Will Hurd drove from San Antonio, Texas, to Washington after their flights canceled Tuesday because of a blizzard.
The journey turned into a mobile town hall with the two answering questions on everything from policy to Fitbits.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg even shared the video.
The two legislators got along really well and had polite, engaging convesations during the trip.

Media: WochIt Media

"Because, people are gonna stop you in the aisles, and they're gonna want to talk to you, and your food will melt. Everything is gonna take you a little bit longer, cause people all have opinions," Coonerty said.

Constituents also have strong opinions on issues that a politician has to vote on. Coonerty said that this is the hard part, because it's not easy to make a decision that will make everyone happy.

Another essential tip from Coonerty was the essential art of ribbon-cutting at various ceremonies.

"You don't want to screw up somebody's big opening of their restaurant by not being able to actually cut the ribbon," Coonerty said. "It's actually surprisingly tricky to cut things with those giant scissors."